I feel a willingness to get travelling now that the children have (almost) grown up. I absolutely don’t need to leave where I live, Scotland is a wonderful place, however foreign adventures beckon. So I plan to cycle around the coast of Europe, not in one go! I work as a gardener most of the year but before and after the season I plan to cycle for a week or more resuming from my last end point.

In recognition of our very fragile global ecology currently being destroyed by human induced rapid climate change, I will travel by boat, train and bike - no flight.

I have cycled for two weeks with my son (18) from Calais to Saint Malo (December 2023) . Easter 2024 cycled from Saint Malo to Roscoff with my youngest daughter (14). December 2024 cycled on my own from Morlaix around the coast to Nantes then cycled back to St Malo. Cycled from Nantes to the coast then on to La Rochelle with my two daughters (15 and 17) Easter 2025.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I hope to cycle around Europe ,a few weeks a year over many years on a limited budget. The grand plan is to follow the coast around.

Interests

Mountain hiking and biking, gardening for wildlife, The Great Outdoors, sport; mainly football, rugby, cricket and athletics though any good and relevant contest will enthrall! Painting (oils and acrylic) and photography @steadingart (Instagram ), skiing.

• gardening

Music, Movies, and Books

One published novel: Eh? Is for Ants (The Great British Bookshop). I love to read a good travel book or mind expanding (blowing!) like Autobiography of a Yogi or Cave in the snow. True to life films mainly, music on the radio (Radio 6 music) helps me through every work day.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Walked to the very top of Uluru.

Teach, Learn, Share

Ok

What I Can Share with Hosts

Gardening work, I won’t have any tools though. Might pack a hand fork lol. My son, Benjamin, and eldest daughter Willow could teach the violin to beginners (Scottish traditional music) if they are with me.

Countries I’ve Visited

Andorra, Australia, Belgium, Canada, England, France, Germany, Gibraltar, Greece, Guernsey, Ireland, Italy, Jersey, Morocco, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Scotland, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United States, Wales

Countries I’ve Lived In

England, Scotland